Chemical Properties
Colorless crystals or liquid. Soluble in alcohol
and ether; slightly soluble in water.
Occurrence
Reported present in asparagus (raw and cooked), bonito (dried), broccoli (cooked), cauliflower (cooked),
cognac, endive, grape, Gruyere de Comte cheese, guava, leek (raw and heated), olive, peas, rhubarb, rice bran and vanilla extract.
Definition
ChEBI: A dimethoxybenzene with the methoxy groups at ortho-positions.
Preparation
Prepared by methylation of pyrocatechol.
Taste threshold values
Intolerable at 40 ppm.
General Description
1,2-Dimethoxybenzene reacts with Li{N(SO2CF3)2} to yield molecular crystal [Li{N(SO2CF3)2}{C6H4(OCH3)2}2] having solid-state lithium ion conductivity. It is a potential pollinator attractant of the nocturnal moth Hadena bicruris.
Toxicology
Data from 1,2-dimethoxybenzene and read-across analog 1,4-dimethoxybenzene (CAS # 150-78-7) show that 1,2-dimethoxybenzene is not expected to be genotoxic. Data show that there are no safety concerns for 1,2-dimethoxybenzene for skin sensitization under the current declared levels of use. The repeated dose, reproductive, and local respiratory toxicity endpoints were evaluated using the TTC for a Cramer Class I material, and the exposure to 1,2-dimethoxybenzene is below the TTC (0.03 mg/kg/day, 0.03 mg/kg/day, and 1.4 mg/day, respectively). The phototoxicity/photoallergenicity endpoints were evaluated based on UV spectra; 1,2-dimethoxybenzene is not expected to be phototoxic/photoallergenic. For the environmental endpoints, 1,2-dimethoxybenzene is not a PBT as per the IFRA Environmental Standards, and its risk quotients (i.e., PEC/PNEC) for the aquatic environment, based on its current volume of use in Europe and North America, are < 1
Purification Methods
Steam distil veratrole, then fractionally distil it from BaO, CaH2 or Na. Crystallise it from *benzene or low-boiling pet ether at 0o. Fractionally crystallise it from its melt. Store it over anhydrous Na2SO4. [Beilstein 6 IV 5564.]
